I speak of the mountains, most specifically those of Yosemite, for that place of history and wonder and grandeur is my querencia. My family has made it a yearly practice to stay in Yosemite, sometimes twice in on year, and because of this, it has become my sanctuary. I have so many incredible and so many warm memories of that place that  I can simply close my eyes and remember when I’m having a bad day. I hate school, I hate suburbia, and I’m not a great fan of cities (save for San Fran); but in this place of ageless splendor, none of the trifles of everyday human life matter. The towering walls of granite and fir pine meadows do not care that you got a ‘D’ on a math test. The trickling creeks and roaring waterfalls don’t judge your, but allow you to enter into this place where the very air seems to vibrate with age and wisdom. Here you can escape the dismal world of business and retail, for money has no meaning in a place such as this. Here one can leave behind the world of prejudices, indifference and intolerance and enter a small sanctuary where humans, no matter how powerful or how rich, are still small and insignificant. The towering peaks offer a valley of breathtaking scale and splendor, a valley of rolling meadows and thick forests, a valley that man cannot touch, no matter how many years he went to college, or how many buildings he owns.

Yosemite, since the first time I ever set foot in it, has always been a place where I’ve felt different. It’s the place where I am most inspired, most in tune with my thoughts, most at ease with my life and myself. I never grow tired of the ice-capped peaks or the meadows of dew-tipped grass blazing in the morning sunlight.

If you have never been to this incredible National Park, you should consider making a trip. It is a sanctuary away from the rumblings and horrors of the city, of society, of life. Lying nestled in the Sierra Mountain Range in California, Yosemite is a place that no human can touch. It’s almost as if there’s some sort of force-field surrounding it; when you enter into the valley amidst towering peaks and breathtaking waterfalls, you feel different. You know you are somewhere special, somewhere almost magical, a place that can’t be domesticated nor controlled.

Typical Winter's day at Main Beach Noosa

Noosa is at the Northern end of a strip of golden beaches known as the City of Sunshine Coast, Australia.  This paradise is blessed with many protected beaches spread out along the headland which itself is part of the protected Noosa National Park, containing native flora and fauna of the region.  Winter in Australia is from June to August, and summer is from December to February.  Getting to Noosa is a very easy journey, just you follow these steps:

                

Arrange your trip for the best time.  Remember Noosa, is in South-Eastern Queensland and gets temperatures ranging from 63-83° F in Summer and 45-72° F in winter.  Purchase a return ticket to the Australian Airport at Brisbane.  If this is not possible then Sydney or Melbourne will also suffice and obtain a connecting flight to Brisbane or directly to Sunshine Coast Airport.  Book your accommodation at Noosa hotels or campsites.  Apply for the relevant visa through any Australian Consulate attached to their Embassies in the USA.  American nationals should not have difficulty obtaining a visa.  Connect to Noosa after arrival in Australia, via a flight from Sydney Melbourne or Brisbane airports directly to Sunshine Coast Airport.  If you arrive in Brisbane it is only a 80 mile drive North by car, coach or train. Wherever there is secluded grass such as golf courses you will find kangaroos.

     

            Visit Hastings St beach, at Laguna Bay right in the middle of the Noosa foreshore.  Surfing and swimming is available.  Accommodation is available right on the beachfront.  The beach is patrolled by the Noosa Surf Life Saving Club. Visit the Noosa National park which has walking trails and signs depicting the flora.  A track along the cliff edge of the park leads to the excellent swimming beaches of Tea Tree Bay, Granite Bay, fairy Pools, Hell’s gates, Alexandria Bay, and Sunshine Beach.  Visit Noosa River which is serviced by modern accommodation where there are ample picnic facilities, grass banks and calm water for swimming and boating.  Noosa also has scuba diving clubs with frequent dive trips all over the Sunshine Coast waters. The Australian Navy scuttled the decommissioned HMAS Brisbane just off the Sunshine Coast at Mooloolaba and the site is now part of the National Parks of Australia.  There are regular dive trips to this wreck each week. International standard shopping malls abound in Noosa and Sunshine Coast as well as a boutique shopping style on Hastings St in the middle of Noosa Heads itself.  Hastings St is akin to a miniature Rodeo Drive down under.  For further information see their website.

An interesting feature is the enormous stretches of grasslands called chaurs. Famed Anglo-Indian hunter Jim Corbett was responsible for the configuration of the Park and it has been named in his honor. Corbett ensured that the Park held a wide range of terrain providing natural habitats for a large and varied amount of wildlife. Today you are likely to see elephant, sambar, spotted dear, hog deer, the shy barking deer, jackal, wildboar and a number of birds. The sanctuary is also home to the rhesus and langur monkeys, tiger, leopard, jungle cat, leopard cat and fishing cat.

Visitors opt to stay in Dhikala because it has basic amenities. Here too you can improve your chances of spotting animals if you look across the river valley at dawn. Softened by the mist, glowing in the first light of the rising sun, herds of deer and more massive herds of elephants drift across these wetlands. A two hour elephant ride through this valley and into the jungles will offer close encounters of the wild kind including if you are in luck with a tiger. Your best chance of spotting crocodiles and their long snouted fish eating cousins gharials is during a morning drive. The park is closed from 16th June to 14th November.

Yellowstone has many thermal activities going on at the present, yet many have changed like at mammoth hot springs, the hot springs have dried up and changed. At Yellowstone Lake you can rent boats and fishing equipment to go fishing in the lake for fun or for a hobby. With all the mountains you might want to rent a good trail car like a Jeep since small cars tend to need a long time to go up a slope and often make your trip slow. Hiking on trails is a favorite pastime of many at Yellowstone so why not grab your hiking shoes and you camera and see animals and natural beauties in your own time.

At the Mud Volcano area there is many buffalo or bison to see and take pictures of: just be careful not to get to close or you could get hurt or injured. But enjoy the geysers and bison.

If you’re done with your trips to Yellowstone why not check out the Grand Teton national park near it? It has many beautiful mountains and it doesn’t take that long to go through the whole park. After you come through Grand Teton you might want to check out Jackson Hole. It’s a nice old western town with cool cowboy feelings. After this experience close with the wild you’ll come to understand nature more and hopefully change your litter habits. If you enjoyed Yellowstone and Grand Teton you might want to check other National Wildlife Parks and donate some money to the welfare of the parks.

Atmosphere

Disney can theme a resort like no one else. The Wilderness Lodge is no exception. From the moment you arrive at the hotel, you’ll notice that you no longer feel like you are in Florida. Instead, you feel like you have arrived at a grand lodge located in a National Park. From the woodsy feel of the grounds to the Lincoln Log style building. Every detail was put into place to make you feel as if you have been transported to the wilderness. Inside the resort is a large open lobby filled with comfortable seating areas, totem poles, rocking chairs in front of one of the biggest fireplaces that I have ever seen, and a bubbling creek with it’s own wooden bridge. One of the best features is the western themed music piped inside and outside of the building. The building surrounds a pool with a waterslide and a rock area with a creek. A geyser feature erupts every hour. There is a great beach area and a long dock so you can enjoy the lake area. There are plenty of ducks, rabbits, and birds of all kinds to be seen in the grassy areas. The wildlife seems to love it just as much as the guests do.

Location

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has an unbeatable location. It is located a short boat ride away from Magic Kingdom. From the dock, there is boat transportation to go across the lake to the Contemporary Hotel where you can eat at Chef Mickey’s or catch a monorail to the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Magic Kingdom, or the Transportation Center. Fort Wilderness Campground can be reached via a walkway or by boat. My family and I have taken the boat on many occassions to enjoy the campground’s free movie with Chip and Dale at night. The kids really enjoy roasting marshmallows by the firepits there. Fort Wilderness also boasts a great dinner show named Hoop De-Doo Revue. Bus transportation is available a short walk from the lobby. Busses will take you to Epcot, Downtown Disney, the water parks, Animal Kingdom, or Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Amenities

The rooms at the Wilderness lodge continue with the western theme. Our families favorite rooms are the ones with the bunkbeds. In these rooms, there is one queen bed and a set of bunk beds. The hotel has three restaurants. A quick short order restaurant named Roaring Forks, a fun interactive restaurant named Whispering Canyon that serves outstanding breakfast skillets and BBQ skillets for dinners, and a high end classy restaurant named Artist Point. A full service bar is located just off the lobby and by the pool. The pool area has plenty of seating, towels, a waterslide, and a good sized hot tub.

The Wilderness Lodge is the lowest priced resort in Disney’s Deluxe category. The atmosphere , amenities, and location all add to the relaxing atmosphere. I hope you give the Wilderness Lodge a try on your next Disney trip.

Off the east coast are group of beautiful islands called the Seribuat archipelago. They are part of a marine park and some of the islands have been turned into exclusive resorts.

Among the most famous islands are Pulau Besar, Pulau Rawa, and Pulau Tinggi. The jump-off point for these islands is the pleasant coastal town of Mersing, about 135km from Johor Bahru. Mersing is also the departure point for Tioman Island in Pahang.

One of the must-sees for nature lovers is the Endau-Rompin National Park. The 800-square kilometer park straddles the Johor-Pahang border and is best accessed through the Johor side. The park is regarded as well-kept secret because of its isolation, which has left extremely rich in flora and fauna as well as largely untouched natural wonders.

In the northwestern part of the state in Muar district is Gunung Ledang or Mount Ophir. The mountain, now popular with hikers, is said to be the home of the legendary princess, Puteri Gunung Ledang who was wooed by one of the Sultan of Malacca. The legend has inspired a popular movie and successful musical.

At the foot of the mountain is Sagil where there is a waterfall. Muar town, or Bandar Maharani, itself is a picturesque town known for delicious yet inexpensive food.

Johor Bahru, the capital, has collection of majestic colonial era building, such as the Secretariat Building, Istana Besar (Grand Palace) and Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque.

The city also attracts shoppers as there are many big malls and shops to cater to all tastes.

A short distance from the city is the interesting Saleng Zoo, where you can stroke a tiger cub or share honey with a bear.

Mayon Volcano is located in the Bicol Region in the Province of Albay in the Philippines. This volcano has been world famous for its perfect cone shaped. All volcanologist classifies this volcano as a stratovolcano which is a composite volcano. Its perfect cone was formed though the alternate pyroclastic and lava flows. This is an active volcano in the Philippines and has erupted for over 47 time in the pass 400 years. The Mayon Volcano is part of the Pacific ring of fire because it is located along the Pacific Oceans rim.

The most destructive eruption of the Mayon Volcano was in 1814 which buried the whole town of the Casagawa leaving the bell tower of the church as the new surface.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is found in the Island of Palawan in the Philippines. It is about 50 km north of the city of Puerto Princesa which is the Capital city of the Island of Palawan. This park is most commonly known as the Underground River. This park features the different formations of the limestone. The river takes about 8.2 km and it is very navigable which ends to the South China Sea. The lime stones formations include stalactites and stalagmites and chambers which some of them a larges ones. This underground river is the longest in the world. When you enter the cave you will find a lagoon that is framed by growing trees on the edge of the water. You will also find monkeys, monitor lizards of large sizes, squirrels on the beach that is near the cave.

Tubbataha Reef

The Tubbataha reef is located in the middle of the Sulu Sea with the island of Palawan in the Philippines. It is the only Marine National Park in the country. It is also in the UNESCO's National World's Heritage site. Tubbataha Reef has the most beautiful reefs in the world. The name Tubbataha means long reefs exposed at low tides by the Samal people who had the first access to this park in the 1980's. There are about one thousand different species in this park that includes many endangered species and you can only find them in this reef. The manta rays, clownfish, sharks, lion fish and the tortoises are just a few of them.

Chocolate Hills

The Chocolate Hills is located in Bohol Province, in the Central Visayas of the Philippines. This is the famous tourist spot when you visit Bohol Province. The Chocolate Hills consist of 1, 268 cones that is perfectly shaped hills. These hills are covered in green grass but it turns brown during the summer season the reason why they were called “chocolate hills”.

These hills have been spread on the area of more than 50 sq km. It is also included in the Provincial Flag for Bohol. It is the 3rd on the National Geological Monument in the Philippines.

When I arrived in Arizona one of the very first things I noticed was its hidden beauty. But there was also something else I discovered; hard to put into words, an energy much like that on the mountain back home. Arizona is well known for its energy vortexes. Energy moves through all things great and small and it is unseen by most. A few of us actually see and feel its effects as we have become attuned to its vibration levels. Certain times and in the right places one can actually stand in the center of these great vortexes. These areas seem to gather, store and amplify energy; for those that are attuned to these energies it can be a very moving experience.

This picture is taking in the Sedona area very breathe taking beautiful energy; the picture can not do it justice. While standing or walking through these areas one may find that a great peace comes over them and the feeling of being energized.

This is Bell Rock in the town of Sedona; many come to visit and feel it.

Sedona is known also for its Red Rock. Due to the huge quantity of red sandstone formations, According to the Native American ' s their ancestors were the first people to settle in Sedona. There is much ancient history surrounding this and some really interesting theories concerning the Lady of the Pearl. As far as it is known the Yavapai-Apache ancestors were the first to settle here.

The Creation story of these people talk about how the Lady of the pearl bathed in the enchanted waters of Boynton Canyon after being sealed in a log with a woodpecker and sent to Montezuma ' s Well at the beginning of the great flood.

This is Montezuma ' s Well. This water hole is supplied by Underground River and springs. This is a natural limestone sinkhole located near Rimrock AZ; some one million four hundred thousand gallons of water flow through it every day. Its water is highly carbonated and also contains very high levels of Arsenic.

The first ever underwater archaeological survey to take place in a National Park was done here and lead by Archaeologist George R Fischer.

Native ' s that settled here built their homes in the cliffs surrounding the well. They used the water to grow crops by building irrigation canals.

This is Montezuma ' s Castle and if you look closely you can see how it was carved out of the mountain by the early native settlers of that time. The sand stone cliffs made great homes and afforded great protection for those that dwelled within them.

This river flows near by Montezuma ' s Castle.

There are many great things of beauty in the desert, below are some photos that one may find of interest.

If asked too, I ' ll write more on this subject. Arizona has much hidden beauty and many great energy vortexes for those that like to explore. It has a wealth of plants that are useable in making medicines for the sick and if you walk out onto the desert away from the lights of the city, should you take a moment and look up towards the heavens, you will not be disappointed for the night sky is filled with very bright stars.

The Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos City, Pangasinan, Philippines is 250 km. away from Manila. This National Park covers a land area of 1,884 hectares with 123 islands.

A trip to Hundred Islands National Park and its home, Alaminos City, is a great diversion from the hustle and bustle of the busy, urban life. Breathe in the refreshing views - rice paddies, azure sea - and the rustic and peaceful lifestyle as you make your way to Alaminos City. And upon arrival, savor the city's unique and dynamic spirit, friendly atmosphere and especially, the beauty and adventure awaiting in the hundred wonders of the Hundred Islands.

This summer, experience and enjoy one of the best tourist attractions of the Philippines. Here's a dozen way to ensure a happy, enjoyable and worth remembering summer vacation in the Hundred Islands National Park.

1. Snorkeling

   
   Slip your body into the Park's inviting water and swim your stress away. Glide with manta rays, groupers and other fabulous sea creatures. The romantic temperature is best for couple bonding. And you can also have fun tagging the kids along for a visual treat.

2. Banana Boat Ride

   This is pure fun all the way. Hold on tight as you dash away in this yummy ride. It's the ultimate bonding water ride for the family and friends.

3. Spelunking

   
   Wend your way into the raw beauty of the Hundred Islands National Park's caves. You can take a floating tour, then, shine your flashlights on limestone formations and watch your head as you lumber inside and greet various species of bats.

4. Parasailing

   
   Be on top of the world, with wind on your face, untouched by the water below and thrill seeping through your veins. You can peer down and feel the rush on your face, as well as marvel at the gorgeous bird's eye view of the Park.

5. Jet Skiing

   
   If it's fresh air you're after, get it fast and exhilarating. You can rent one of the jet skis near the Wharf and take charge as you dash through the azure calmness of the sea. Revel in your free spirit as you sweep through the water.

6. Kayaking

   
   Stretch your adrenaline a little higher. Dip an oar and enhance your kayaking strokes as you paddle away the hours in the Park's graceful curves. You can go for it alone or conduct a small competition with friends who want some thrill.

7. Scuba Diving

   
   Grab some gear and navigate your way, either with a personal guide or a handy map, to the diving holes in the Park. Take the plunge in these marine havens and find your own piece of magical corner beneath the depths, gliding over colorful reefs and other marine wonders which call it home.

8. Birdwatching

   Feast your eyes on more than fifty species of birds in the Hundred Islands National Park. Get to know magpie robins, Philippine ducks, blue-tailed bee eaters, purple night herons, zebra doves, white collared kingfishers, and more. Among the best islands for this activity are the Kamantiles Island, Heron Island, Tern Island and Bat Island. For hikers, you can follow the Alaminos River for more birdwatching.

9. Island Hopping

   
   Grab a slice of island action. Let off some steam as you cross islands dangling from secure ropes, trudging the rugged terrain or just relaxing as your boat glides over water. Embrace the adventure and the thrill and lose yourself in each fresh revelation you encounter.

10. Fun-Fishing

    
    Folks can help you out on the best spots to drop anchor in the Park. Enjoy the challenge and have fun reeling in native fishes. Even if you won't have any luck, you can always enjoy a swim with the refreshing breeze or just be captivated by the stunning views.

11. Sun Bathing

    
    Relish unfettered relaxation and get your perfect tan as you soak up the sun in the Park's firm sanded beaches. Or simply watch its scenic views. Leave the baby sitting to the shallow waters, sandcastles and friendly folks for a while and enjoy their memorable stories later.